Tim Farron asks new Health Secretary for meeting over Kendal maternity service closure

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the temporary closure of the birthing centre at Helme Chase maternity unit in Kendal.

In May, the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust suspended birth services at Helme Chase for six months due to a lack of midwives available to safely staff the unit.

More than 2,000 people have signed Tim’s petition calling for investment from the Government to address the staffing issues at Helme Chase.

Writing to Mr Streeting, Tim said: “Our maternity unit has been underfunded for years now by the Trust due to Conservative Government cuts to rural health services.

“I am greatly concerned that a temporary six month suspension could become a permanent closure unless urgent is action is taken. The Trust needs to be given the funding and resources to properly staff Helme Chase and give the unit a new lease of life after years of underinvestment. 

“I would be incredibly grateful if you were able to meet with me to discuss this issue as a matter of urgency.”

Tim’s petition can be found here.